Azerbaijan's renowned Academy of Music has re-opened its doors to the public after a grand ceremony in the capital, Baku.

The Academy is perhaps most famous for producing the 20th composer and playwright, Uzeyir Hajibeyov, who devoted his life to the arts in Azerbaijan and the wider Soviet Union.

After the opening ceremony, president Aliyev announced that he hoped the event would signal the start of a new cultural era in the country.

The Azerbaijani capital Baku holds plenty of interest for the culture enthusiast, with the city once being known as a cosmopolitan artistic centre during the Soviet era.

One of the first stops for any visitor will mostly likely be the Old City - a designated UNESCO World Heritage site - which includes the astonishing Palace of the Shirvan Shahs and the mysterious seventh century tower, Giz Qalasi.

A variety of tours of Baku are available, with most stopping at the city's most famous attractions, such as the Atashgah Fire Temple and the Yanar Dagh mountain.

Baku is also blessed with more than its fair share of fascinating art galleries and museums.

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